These Buttery Melting Sweet Potatoes Are the Star of My Holiday Table

Buttery, not-too-sweet, perfectly caramelized melting sweet potatoes are my holy grail Thanksgiving side dish. They take a little bit of extra care to sear on the stove, then roast in the oven, but they’re so impressive that it’s worth it. They arrive at the table in minimalist, burnished glory—little columns dressed in a glossy coat of toasty maple butter sauce. Two pieces are plenty for a serving, and your fork will drop right through the velvety potatoes with zero resistance. Heaven on a fork. 

The soft-but-not-mushy texture you can achieve with melting (aka fondant) potatoes is unique to this two-part cooking method, and it works just as well with sweet potatoes as it does with russets or yukon golds. The main difference is that in order to keep the sweet potatoes from getting overly browned, you’ll keep the heat a touch lower than you would for regular potatoes.

I also like to switch up the flavor profile here, going sweet instead of savory, but not overly so. Maple syrup and cinnamon combine with butter to make a delicious and very buttery sauce (you can never have too much butter at a holiday table, in my opinion). Just two tablespoons of maple syrup are all that’s needed to make these potatoes just sweet enough—these are such a nice change from cloying, marshmallow-topped casseroles if those aren’t your thing!

Tips for Making My Melting Sweet Potatoes

• I find that 3 pounds of sweet potatoes is just enough to fill up an 11 to 12-inch skillet or braiser. 
• When you’re searing the sweet potatoes, make sure that they all have contact with the cooking surface for some nice browning—their beautiful color makes these a real showstopper at the table and adds so much caramelized flavor.
• If you find that your pan is a bit too crowded, use your tongs to scoot the potatoes around a little bit during the searing step so they all get some good browning.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this dish as your sweet side dish alongside savory green beans, stuffing, or whatever other holiday classics you’re planning on making this year. They’re sure to become a family favorite.